Video Post: Hawkesbury Canoe Classic – How to Kill Time Whilst Waiting Nervously for the Start

The first Team Fat Paddler canoe entry to the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic (2010)

It’s that amazing feeling before something big. That feeling in your gut that’s a mixture of fear and anxiety, offset by a healthy dose of straight up excitement. Such is the feeling in the days before a big event, an event like this weekend’s Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.

I’ve been feeling it all week, as I expect the rest of the team’s paddlers are. We’ve gone from 2 paddlers and 3 landcrew in 2010 to 10 paddlers and 20 landcrew in 2011, a massive increase in size and logistics. As I speak the fundraising from the team has just passed the $10,000 mark, a substantial kick towards a search for a cure to Leukaemia. Gear has been primed, catering organised (thanks Lt. Burnsie), and all that’s left to do now is to wait for the event to start.

But waiting is easier said than done. So in the meantime, here’s the video of Team Fat Paddler’s attempt at last year’s Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. At least it’ll kill another eight and a half minutes of nervous excited tension! Cheers – FP

A quote from an Australian athlete – Ms Turland – Commonwealth Gold in the Marathon (which I am sure applies to you all.)

” I am strong. I am prepared to hurt. I am fresh and have done the work. I am relaxed and ready to endure the journey.”

Take care and all the best. May the weather be on your side and the support group have the hot sausages at the ready. It’s a gutsy effort even to think of doing it, yet alone filling in the entry form and then turning up to paddle 111 km over night.